asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has noted the success of commercial sprat fishing on the east coast; what advice was given him on the availability of sprats for years to come; and if he will make trawlers available through Bord Iascaigh Mhara to competent fishermen who would carry out this type of fishing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sprat Fishing.
29.
Catches of sprat of the order of 1,400 tons were made on the east coast in 1964, 1965 and 1966, but landings of this species fell considerably in 1967 and 1968. Since the opening of the new fishmeal factory in Mornington this year local fishermen have shown renewed interest in sprat fishing and about 1,000 tons were landed up to the end of September.
A survey of the stocks of sprats in the Irish Sea was begun by my Department in 1964 using the research vessel "Cú Feasa" to assess the potential for sprat fishing in the area as a source of raw material for industrial purposes. The results indicated that sprats were present over a wide area of the Irish Sea but commercial concentrations seemed to be confined to distinct regions which gave consistently good catches. Since the sprat is a comparatively short-lived species, it is not possible to forecast their availability on a long-term basis but landings by fishermen are being sampled by my Department to assess the conditions of the stock from time to time.
Facilities are already available under the marine credit plan operated by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara to assist suitably qualified fishermen to acquire fishing vessels.